Revision as of 00:06, 1 May 2019

Objectives

• Students will ask themselves wha type of soil best describes their life today.
• Students will see to be good soil.

Introduction

Have you ever planted a garden? Gardening is a lot of work. In 2019 I wanted to plant a garden, it was more work than I thought it would be. First, I needed to create the garden area. To create the garden area I moved 2125 pounds of concrete, I then brought in several loads of dirt and compost. Why did I go through so much work? Because for a garden to grow you must have good soil, a good environment. If I take a seed and place it on a concrete block it will not grow into a vegetable.

The Word of God is a lot like a seed, in the right soil the Word grows and transforms a person, but if the soil is bad then all sorts of things can go wrong.

Main Body

• Jesus spent somewhere around 3 years teaching the people in the Roman provinces of Judea and Galilee about God, and the way in which God desires us to live. A key method Jesus used in teaching was that of a parable. A parable is a short story that illustrates a spiritual lesson. Jesus spoke in parables and explained those parables to his disciples.
• In verse 3 we have an improve or command "Listen". Jesus uses a present imperative second person command. Literally, he says "you all listen." Jesus is telling us to listen up, what He is about to say is important. You don't want to miss this message, this message can change your life!

The Wayside (V. 4)

• The idea here is that the seed lands on hard-packed ground, perhaps a path or other trail. If you were to lay a bunch of seed on a packed road then no matter how much you watered you wouldn't expect the seed to grow. The seed will simply not get started.
• Scholars have debated how seed was planted in first-century Palestine. Some have argued that a farmer would scatter seed and then go over that scattered seed with a plow to burry it in the soil. ^[1]
• Compare with Matthew 13:19 where we are told that people hear the Word, but fail to understand it resulting in the missing the opportunity to germinate.

• What does this mean for you today? If there is something you don't understand then you need to ask. We are talking about important information, if you have questions then you should ask.

Seekers need soften their hearts and set answers so the Word of God can penetrate and take root.

Stony Ground (V. 5-6)

• In Mark 4:16 and 17 we see that the seed that is sown on stony ground does sprout, but as soon as trouble comes it fades away.

Seekers must go deep, don't be content with a surface level  understanding of God, you must go deeper. 

Among Thorns (V. 7)

• Mark 4:18-19 tells us that there are some significant distractions that can choke the Word: cares of the world, riches, desires of the world.
• Note: The seduction of the world may not destroy the plant, but it will keep the plant from producing fruit and accomplishing its intended purpose.
• You must get rid of the cares of the world and instead focus on Christ.

Seekers must not lose their focus on their Savior.

Good Ground (V. 8)

• Mark 4:8 uses three ideas to describe the one represented by good soil: hears the Word, accepts the Word, bears fruit.

Seekers should told and labor to receive, hear, and bear fruit from the Word of God.

Conclusion

Seekers must work to prepare and maintain good soil so the Word of God can be effective in their life.

References

1. ↑ Strauss L. Mark, Mark: Zondervan Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2014